Yes, we all love posting photos online, especially on social media. But while we might be able to recognise what is and isn’t appropriate to share, children aren’t always so aware of how public things can get… and how fast. If you have kids who use the internet, you need to get familiar with this Webwise info. Like, right now. Here are the key things to discuss with your tech-savvy offspring:
Control
Children may not understand that once they share a photo online they lose control of who sees the image and how it’s used or altered. It’s very easy to share a photo online but not so easy to take it down. Even if your children use private messages or apps to share photos, it’s still very easy for people to take a screenshot or photo of what they’ve shared. These people can then share your child’s picture wherever they like.
The Granny Rule
It can be difficult for children to figure out the boundary between what should and shouldn’t go online. One way of helping them decide if a photo is okay to share online is The Granny Rule – if they wouldn’t show a particular photo to their granny, then it probably shouldn’t be online.
Respect
As well as thinking about how sharing a photo might affect your children themselves, it’s important for children to think about how sharing images might affect other people. If the photo might embarrass or get someone in trouble, encourage them to delete it.
Watch your space
If your children have social networking profiles where people can post comments on their photos, highlight the importance of checking these comments regularly. If they receive comments that annoy them they should avoid replying. If needs be, they can delete the comment, block the person, and report the incident to the website.
Who, where, what
It’s a good idea not to give away too much information online. Sharing and tagging photos in real time and publicising what they are doing can leave your child vulnerable.
Privacy
Be familiar with privacy settings and options available on social networking sites that your child uses. Many sites allow you to decide which parts of your profile can be accessed by others, but assume that everything is public unless you are sure that it isn’t.
“Friends” and friends
Talk with your children about being selective with who they become friends with; they should only add people they know. As soon as your child adds a friend online, they can give that person access to all their photos.
Apps and services
Get to know the apps and services your children are using by having them show you how they work. The Webwise Explainers are useful for getting the facts on some of the most popular services used by young people.
When something goes wrong
If someone makes contact with your child in an inappropriate or hurtful way, advise your child to block them, keep the message or comment as evidence, and report them to the website. Don’t respond to bullying or harassing contacts.
Help is out there
More serious cases can be reported anonymously to hotline.ie. All reports are taken very seriously and passed on to the Gardaí when appropriate. If your child needs someone to talk to they can call Childline at 1800 666 666. The National Parents’ Council operate a helpline for parents in need of advice – call 01-8874477.
For more on safer practises, read our top 10 tips.
